Getting to our Holidays
To get to our itineraries in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset & Somerset
We have gathered the following information to assist you in getting to and from the South West, for assistance concerning the Pembrokeshire please see our section Getting to Pembrokeshire below.
Arriving by Air
Bristol (52 miles/84 km from Minehead end of the path) for bus transfers to Bristol Temple Meads check the Flyer bus timetable.
Bournemouth (6 miles/10km from Poole Harbour end of the path)
Exeter (approx 11 miles/18km from the path in east and South Devon)
Newquay (approximately 4 miles/6km from Newquay)
Arriving by Car
The south west is well served by major trunk roads (M5, A303, A30) and most of the gateway start and finish points along the Coast Path are served by a network of A and B roads. However, they can all become very busy during the main summer season.
Car parks are readily available at all coastal towns. At more remote locations along the Coast Path you will find informal car parks, normally managed by landowners or Parish Councils. Some car parks are free, but there are normally charges (Pay & Display, staffed ticket kiosk, honesty box). During the main summer season all parking areas will be busy. A few great website where you may be able to find parking in rare locations, well worth a look at are Parkopedia, Just Park & Your Parking Space.
Arriving by Train
Both ends of the Path can be reached from London by a combination of train
and bus:
To get to the Minehead end of the path, take a train to Taunton (about 2 hours
from London), and then a bus or bus and train to Minehead (about 1 and a half hours).
To reach the Poole Harbour end of the path, take a train to Bournemouth (about
1 hour 45 minutes from London), and then two buses to South Haven Point via
Sandbanks ferry (about 1 hour).
Barnstaple, Newquay, Hayle, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, Par, Looe, Plymouth,
Paignton, Dawlish, Exmouth, Weymouth and Swanage are towns along the path with
a rail service.
Walk the Trail recommends National Rail Enquires to find the cheapest fares and Traveline SW for organising all of your travel plans.
If you are an international visitor, please have a look at Seat 61, this website provides the best information for linking overseas trains with those in the UK, it may also be worth noting here that if you buy your train tickets through The Trainline they will post your tickets overseas..
Arriving by Coach/Bus
All of the major towns on the South West Coast Path are serviced by Coaches/Buses throughout the year. The cheapest providers are National Express and Mega Bus. If you need to use the local bus services Traveline SW provides all the information required.
Arriving by Ferry
Plymouth (on the path) - from France and Spain
Poole (5 miles/8 km from Poole Harbour end of the path) - from France
Minehead, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth (on the path) - from South Wales and Bristol
Taxis in the South West
As a final note, if you require a taxi journey whilst you are on your holiday or to aid you in arrival / departure Walk the Trail would highly recommend Lt Taxis.
Getting to Pembrokeshire
We have gathered the following information to assist you in getting to and from Pembrokeshire, for assistance concerning the Pembrokeshire.
Arriving by Air
Cardiff (94 miles/150 km from Amroth end of the path -- 96 miles/154 km from St Dogmaels end of the path)
Birmingham (201 miles/322 km from Amroth end of path -- 210 miles/336 km from St Dogmaels end of the path)
Bristol (127 miles/203 km from Amroth end of the path -- 136 miles/218 km from St Dogmaels end of the path)
Arriving by Car
Amroth is well served by major trunk roads including the A40 and A48 which both lead on to the A477.
The car park most regularly used by walkers is the free National car park near to Amroth Castle, however there are only limited spaces and in the peak of the high season you may be out of luck.
St Dogmaels not as easy to get to by car, public transport may be a better option, but St Dogmaels is served by the trunk road, A487, down from Aberystwyth.
The car park most regularly used by walkers is situated in Cardigan, only 1.5 miles away, here you will find very reasonable long stay car parking rates.
A few great website where you may be able to find parking in rare locations, well worth a look at are Parkopedia, Just Park & Your Parking Space.
Arriving by Train/Bus
Both ends of the Path can be reached from London by a combination of train and bus:
To get to the Amroth end of the path, take a train to Cardiff (about 2 hours from London) or Swansea (about 3 hours from London), and then get a connecting train through to Kilgetty (about 1 hour 30 minutes from either Swansea or Cardiff train station). Kilgetty is then a short 20 minute bus ride away from Amroth, catch the 351 service. For train times visit National Rail Enquires and for the 351 bus timetable visit Silcox Coaches
To get to the St Dogmaels end of the path, take a train to Swansea (about 3 hours from London), and then get a connecting train through to Fishguard & Goodwick station (about 1 hour 40 minutes from Swansea). From Fishguard there is a fairly frequent bus service available to St Dogmaels, the 405 Poppit Rocket which takes just over an hour. For train times visitr National Rail Enquires and for the 405 bus timetable visit Pembrokeshire Tourism website
Budget Walking recommends National Rail Enquires to find the cheapest train fares. If you are an international visitor, please have a look at Seat 61, this website provides the best information for linking overseas trains with those in the UK, it may also be worth noting here that if you buy your train tickets through The Trainline they will post your tickets overseas.
Arriving by Ferry
Fishguard (on the path) - from Rosslare (Ireland)
Pembroke (on the path) - from Rosslare (Ireland)
Swansea (46 miles/74 km from the Amroth end of the path) - from Cork (Ireland)
Holyhead (144 miles/230 km from the St Dogmaels end of the path) - from Dublin & Dun Laghaire (Ireland)